Northern Territory Destination Guide
The place
Sample the real Australia in this intriguing and spectacular region, famous for the unique and overwhelming Uluru (Ayers Rock) and the rich red soil of the Red Centre, walking beneath thundering waterfalls and through lush rainforests, swimming in crystal clear waterholes and learning about ancient Aboriginal cultures.
This biological wonderland is blessed with a wide variety of incredible wildlife, diverse landscapes and remarkable scenery. The traditional outback is home to some of the most iconic natural wonders in the world, quirky outback pubs, dreamtime legends and a truly majestic night sky.
The Facts
Northern Territory
Geography: The famous stark red desert landscape has vibrant red monoliths rising out from the dry, rugged plains. Mountains, canyons and craters also appear in this harsh wilderness.
Travelling time: Approximately 23 hours flying time.
Local time: GMT + 9 1/2 hrs
Climate: Central Australia is famous for its clear blue skies and enjoys sunshine all year round. Temperatures in the summer can reach over 35°C, falling to 20°C at night and in winter 20°C but dipping to freezing at night.
Airport information: Alice Springs Airport is 9 miles from the town and transfers by regular shuttle buses and taxi are available taking 15 minutes. There is a local airport at Uluru which is 10 minutes from the resort.
What to see and do...
Uluru (Ayers Rock): As the world’s biggest and most famous monolith, Uluru is one of Australia’s most prominent icons. Rising from the desert plain, the site is visually stunning and your first view is something you’ll never forget. The incredible desert landscape is even more impressive in real life and it should be viewed at sunrise or sunset to see it changing from brown to orange to red to purple.
The Desert Awakenings Breakfast or the Sounds of Silence Dinner are both perfect for viewing this magical spectacle. Join a guided walk around the base of the rock, learn more about the aboriginal culture and view the ancient rock art and the Mutitjulu Waterhole.
Kings Canyon: Often overlooked by those in a rush to see Uluru, Kings Canyon is a spectacular gorge with clusters of red outcrops, lush palms and breathtaking views. The scenic landscape in and around the Canyon is the result of millions of years of erosion and the steep walls of the Canyon stand around 1,000 feet high, towering over King’s Creek. Parts of the gorge hold sacred aboriginal significance and visitors are discouraged from straying from the main walking tracks. There are two walks to choose from at Kings Canyon. The first, just over a mile long, takes about an hour and tracks through the bottom of the gorge. The end of the walk gives spectacular views of the canyon above. The second, the rim walk, a four mile loop, should take between three to four hours and follows the edge of the canyon. After an initial steep climb, you are rewarded with spectacular views of the gorge below and the surrounding landscape.
Kata Tjuta (The Olgas): This bizarre collection of smaller rocks is not as well known as Uluru but is equally impressive. The range of 36 magnificent, variously sized rock domes, 22 miles west of Uluru, are believed to have once been a monolith far surpassing Uluru in size, but that it eroded to several separate bulks of rock. The name Kata Tjuta means “many heads” and is another sacred site to the Aboriginal people. The Valley of the Winds walk at Kata Tjuta is about 4 1/2 miles long and takes about three hours to complete.
The hike is truly magnificent and should not be missed; it is best to leave early to avoid the hottest part of the day and the crowds. If you have the chance, view the domes at sunset when you can see them turn blood red as the light fades.
Alice Springs: Surrounded by spectacular gum trees and refreshing waterholes, the friendly outback town of Alice Springs is the vibrant hub of central Australia and has all the conveniences of a modern city. Alice is an ideal base for exploring the Red Centre and as a destination has an abundance of entertainment and activities on offer. Try your hand at four-wheel driving or quad biking out in the desert, ride a camel through the outback, hike the nearby MacDonnell Ranges, meander around aboriginal art galleries, visit the Todd Mall Markets or see the home of the Royal Flying Doctor Service. You can take a bushtucker tour, visit the local wildlife park, sleep in a swag by a camp fire, make a scenic flight over the desert or star gaze in one of the clearest, most unpolluted skies on earth.
Top tips
• Take a camel ride at the Frontier Camel Farm near Alice.
• Don’t miss sunrise or sunset over Uluru (Ayers Rock).
• Take a cool dip at the Garden of Eden at King’s Canyon.
• Sleep under the stars in a swag and marvel at the night sky.
• In October, visit the Henley on Todd Regatta in Alice Springs.
• Experience the gorges, gaps, chasms and unspoiled serenity at the West MacDonnell Ranges.
• For some of the best 4WD in the country, head over to the Simpson Desert where you can drive in remote desert over huge sand dunes and past remote outback villages.
• Visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service, operational for 80 years.
• Dine at Bojangles Saloon and Restaurant for true territory tucker such as camel, crocodile, kangaroo, emu and barramundi. It's a great place for serious meat lovers who can choose from a great variety of steaks including "The Big Bugger"!
• Families shouldn’t miss the Alice Spring Reptile Centre to get up close to pythons, bearded dragons, thorny devils and frilled neck dragons and the live shows with audience participation are a must!
• Visit the Milky Way Café in Alice for an entertaining and enthralling evening introducing people to the marvels of the southern hemisphere night sky.
Top End
Geography: The Top End is famous for its lush wetlands, raging waterfalls, towering canyons and tropical rainforests.
Travelling time: Approximately 17 hours flying time.
Local time: GMT + 9 1/2
Climate: The top end has a tropical climate with a distinct wet and dry season. Heavy rains occur between October and March, heaviest January onwards. Thunderstorms are common in the afternoons and humidity is often above 70%. The dry season runs from April to September. Temperatures can reach the mid-30s all year round, never falling below 20°C. During the dry season nearly every day is warm and sunny.
Airport information: Darwin airport is 10 miles from the city and by taxi or limousine it takes 20 minutes. Regular shuttle buses also run into the city.
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